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Devaka Gunawardena

The draft national housing policy presented by the Government is a relatively short, under 40 pages, yet an important document. It discusses the need to diversify the housing market including promoting rental housing, expand loan facilities for low and middle income groups, and provide tax incentives for builders. The policy is available on the web at www.housingpolicy.lk as part of the National Housing Development Authority’s consultation with the public, which expired on September 30th, 2013.

On August 12th, 1953, several major parties including the Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP), the Vipalavakari Lanka Sama Samaja Party (VLSSP), and the Federal Party called for a nation-wide strike. Food subsidies including the major rice subsidy had been cut based on World Bank recommendations implemented by the ruling United National Party (UNP) regime. The price of rice sky rocketed overnight from 25 cents to 70 cents.